The Roosters and the Rabbitohs have fought over many a player's services during a rivalry that has spanned more than a century, but the tricolours won the tug of war for Ferguson.

After being sacked by Canberra, there were several suitors prepared to give the former NSW three-quarter a lifeline. The Rabbitohs were one of them and speculation grew he would resume his career in cardinal and myrtle after being spotted at Redfern during some of the team's training sessions during his exile. On one occasion, he sat in the car of Grayson Goodwin, the brother of Rabbitohs back Bryson Goodwin, as Souths went through their paces. Bunnies powerbrokers had hoped their relationship with Ferguson's mentor, Anthony Mundine, could give them an edge in negotiations.

While Rabbitohs officials denied any interest, Mundine revealed the Bunnies were an option when Ferguson's career was in limbo.

"[Cronulla coach Shane] Flanagan has been texting him and I've spoken to Madge [Souths coach Michael McGuire] a couple of times," Mundine told News Corp in November 2013.

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"The Warriors are interested too. There is plenty demand …" Ferguson himself told Triple M at the time, "I'd definitely look into it" when quizzed about interest from Redfern.

However, the Roosters beat them all to the signature of the 24 year old after deciding the club was best placed to help him transform his life. Ferguson made what coach Trent Robinson described as a "very strong" NRL return last weekend in the victory over the Cowboys.

"It's really important that people serve their time and Blake served his time," Robinson said.

"It's nice that you get a story – and it's early days – when someone comes back there is sparkle in their eye about playing rugby league and they almost remember why they started out. Before everything else, before they allow external factors come and cloud their view on the game.

"It's been brought back to 'hang on, I love playing footy and this means a lot to me'. That's the enjoyment part, that's what we saw, I think [after the Cowboys encounter]. Hopefully we played a part in that.

"There would have been other clubs that helped and would have played a part in that as well but we were the lucky ones to get Blake and help with that process.

"Hopefully he continues having that look in his eye and love of footy."

Ferguson hadn't played professional football for 20 months but showed little rust against North Queensland.

"I thought he was going to be very strong in the way he defended and he showed that in both trials and he delivered that in the first round," Robinson said.

"That was Johnathan Thurston's side so that was very strong. Now he has got to deal with [Luke] Keary and [John] Sutton, a lot of questions around there. It was a good defensive performance and some very strong carries. He didn't get as much space as probably he would have liked but he's building his game well around the stuff that's really important at the Roosters."

Ferguson's decision to link with the Roosters over the Rabbitohs adds further spice to Sunday's blockbuster. It's not the only intriguing move when it comes to player movement. The Rabbitohs poached Angus Crichton, a rugby sensation who had played for the Roosters under 18s, in the off-season. The tricolours struck back with the signature of Nat Butcher, the son of former Souths player Blake Butcher, from their bitter rivals.